A Nuclear stress test is a procedure that can access the function of your heart. This test is ordered for many reasons. Some of the most common reasons are shortness of breath, chest pain, diabetes, or other positive risk factors which may put you at risk for heart disease. This exam will allow your doctor to access the blood flow to your heart.

This test is done over one or two days depending upon your weight. This will be determined when your appointment is scheduled. If the study is done in one day the procedure takes 3-4 hours of your time. If the study is done over a two day period, each session will take 1 hour to complete.

You will be asked to prepare for the exam by following these steps:

1. Refrain from all caffeine for 24 hours. This includes coffee, teas, decaf products, sodas and chocolate. This is important because having caffeine in your system will invalidate the exam.
2. You will be asked to refrain from eating for 4 hours prior to your stress test. If you need to eat something due to diabetes or hypoglycemia you may have toast, cereal and juice.
3. You will be asked to stop taking beta blockers for 24 hours prior to your stress test. The following are the meds that are to be held: metroprolol (toprol) (lopressor), isisirbide monitrate (imdur), atenolol (tenormin), labetalol (normodyne), verapamil (calan/verlan), theophylline, carvedilol (coreg), bystolic(nebivolol), diltiazem (cardizem), digoxin (lanozin), propanol (inderol)

It is important to stop these medications so that accurate results from the stress test can be achieved. Beta Blockers will keep your heart rate low and if they are not stopped we cannot assess the heart’s response to exercise.

*When you come in for your nuclear stress test you will be greeted by the nuclear technologist and medical assistant. They will explain the procedure to you and ask you to sign a consent form. The nuclear technologist will place an IV in your vein and then you will be prepped for your exercise by the medical assistant. Electrode stickers will be placed on your chest and resting ekgs and blood pressures will be taken.

*The stress portion of the exam will be done using a treadmill. If you have physical limitations, the test can be done using a medication called lexiscan or adenosine. These medications make the heart “feel” like you have exercised. For patients who have physical limitations this medication is used to stimulate the heart chemically without physical exercise. It is helpful if the patient can exercise, you may be asked to walk slowly while this medication is infused through your IV. A radioactive injection will also be administered so that imaging can be done. The stress test is monitored by an APRN or Cardiologist. Your ekg and blood pressure will be monitored during the stress test. 

*If you have no physical limitations you will be asked to walk on the treadmill to elevate your heart rate to 85% of your maximum heart rate based on your age. Once this heart rate is achieved the technologist will give you a radioactive injection into the iv that was placed earlier for the purpose of imaging.

*Once the stress portion of the exam is complete you will then have a scan taken of your heart. You will be asked to lie on an imaging table and a series of pictures will be acquired. This imaging takes 20-25 minutes. If the study is done over 2 days you will leave after this imaging session and return when instructed by the nuclear technologist.

*If the study is done in one day you will have your heart imaged and then the technologist will allow you to leave for a break. During this time you can have something to eat and caffeine is allowed at this point.

*You will be asked to return after your meal and you will receive a second radioactive injection through the same IV. You will then wait 30 minutes and then the imaging will be repeated.

*These two sets of images will be processed and then reviewed by the cardiologist. The report will be sent to your referring physician and to your PCP. You will also receive a call from our office with the results within a week of your appointment.